BBC Worldwide India inks pact with Applause Entertainment

BBC Worldwide India has announced a partnership with Aditya Birla Group's Applause Entertainment to develop and produce Indian versions of iconic BBC formats.

Sameer Nair

Myleeta Aga

BBC Worldwide and Applause Entertainment will work together to develop Indian versions of acclaimed BBC formats, 'Criminal Justice' and 'The Office' to bring to online audiences throughout India. This will be the first time both 'Criminal Justice' and 'The Office' formats will be developed in Asia, with India being the first in Asia to launch Indian versions of the shows.

Commenting on the partnership, Sameer Nair, CEO, Applause Entertainment, says in a company statement, "Applause is looking to create premium content for Indian viewers to watch online, delivered on the back of the big digital highways that have been built through telecom and all other platforms that exist. We feel that BBC Worldwide, with its high quality content library and formidable reputation for making premium content in India, is the ideal partner to work with. Together, we are pulling expertise and resources to adapt popular BBC formats here. We have picked shows that have been global successes and we believe that the Indian adaptations will meet the viewing needs of the Indian market."

Myleeta Aga, SVP and GM, South East Asia and South Asia at BBC Worldwide, says: "We are very excited to be working with Applause Entertainment, and are assembling an A-list cast of talent to ensure the highest standards of execution. We see Criminal Justice and The Office as just the first step in a long and fruitful partnership with Applause. We are confident this partnership will be result in many more incredibly popular and well-loved Indian adaptations of BBC formats."